9 Questions to Newport (Eve): Ron Gallo of Toy Soldiers

It’s funny, like a few of my favorite songwriters, I came across Ron Gallo for two reasons…one of my already favorite songwriters and pals (Joe Fletcher) mentioned that I need to check out the band Toy Soldiers. I complied, and found another band to add to the favorites list. In addition, like many of my favorite songwriters (again Joe, Justin Townes Earle, Joshua Black Wilkins, James Maple) this gent shares a love and respect for The Loar guitars. I’m thankful to be able to call folks like Ron Gallo a songwriter I can reach out to to talk shop, but also someone I hold on a very high pedestal as far as being a talented and moving crafter of great songs.

Ron and band will be joining the Joe Fletcher curated Newport Eve at the Newport Blues Cafe to kick off the weekend at the end of July. Just another reason for you to check out that show and get your Newport fix early. Like myself, you may just find another one of your favorite performers as a result of it. Ron answered a few questions about music, being a part of the Newport Family, and all the goodness.

 

1)      For the fine folks who may not be as familiar with your work, how would you sum up your sound in a short phrase (10-15 words)?

RG: A lot like that time you saw a 90’s “S” leading an all electric gospel choir at a wiccan arts and crafts party.

 

2)      What projects are you currently working on or have you recently released?

RG: I have my first “solo record” coming out on 6/24/14.  It’s called, “RONNY”, made it unexpectedly in my friend/producer Reed Kendall’s basement alongside about 100 of my Philly music friends.  I love it.  I think it’s the most true to myself/fun thing I’ve done.  The front cover is me with a pizza face (attached) which says a lot about the record and my approach to it. Musically, I was really into Harry Nilsson and Randy Newman during the making of it that shines through probably with some other weirdo cosmic country influence.

Before this Toy Soldiers (my band), had a record called “The Maybe Boys” come out in September 2013.

3)      Newport Folk is celebrated for its collaborations, community and bringing folks together for a weekend where they may not see each other otherwise. How do you feel about that preservation of unity and family sentiment in the folk music community?  How does it play into your own music and where you come from? Is there a “scene” or community that you feel especially attached to?

RG: That unity is everything!  ESPECIALLY right now more so than ever.  Artists really only have each other at this point in time.  Every cool opportunity I’ve ever come across in music was the result of a friendship (<3).  Number one that comes to mind is Joe Fletcher getting us involved in Newport Folk Fest this year and last and all the cool shit we’ve done together over the last couple years.  That’s a beautiful thing that comes from like-minded artists coming together.

This same idea has been the foundation for American Diamond Recordings.  Which is a Philly-based “label”/collective I’m starting up with some friends at the moment.  In short, there’s amazing music being made, it makes sense together, we all help each other out already, and there’s a genuine love and passion for what each band/artist is doing in the scene, so why not band together and make something bigger than ourselves?  Because the music biz surely won’t knock down any doors until we’ve built something on our own anyway.  That’s the idea.  It’s going to be great and am very excited to be working alongside The Lawsuits, TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb, Levee Drivers, Up the Chain/Reed Kendall, Marley McNamara (The Districts mgmt.)  and many more to get this thing going.

4)      Something a lot of folks (only those “in the know” really understand) don’t realize that the Fort is really only the beginning of the festivities for the day at Newport. The night shows can host some of the most spur of the moment and incredible performances of the weekend. What does it mean to you to be able to share your music at one of those very special, and much more limited (almost exclusive) shows?

RG: Why gently open the gates when you can blow them off the hinges with a battering ram made of fire, magik, blood and glory? I think Captain Planet told me to say that.

5)      In the same vein as the question above, who would you like to turn around and see hopping up on stage to sit in on your set at the after hours show this year?

RG: I would love to see some Joe Fletcher, some Andrew Combs, Michael McDonald, Michael Jordan, Ray Charles Barkley.  I would love to have Ryan Adams come play his songs simultaneously over ours, or just sing all ours for me, or improv a punk rock set all about golf.  God, any of the people on the bill, it’s an amazing lineup.

6)      Name 1 record that shaped you when you first started playing and 1 record or artists that you are now/are listening to now that you think folks really need to hear about? Maybe someone lesser known or local who is doing some great stuff.

RG: In the beginning, Jerry Lee Lewis “Live at Star Club” had a lot to do with how to deliver a live show.  110%, wildly unfettered and probably hazardous somehow, let loose.  Nowadays: Courtney Barnett, Mac DeMarco, Father John Misty, Bembeya Jazz National.  And for things a little more under the radar and philly-based: The Lawsuits “Cool Cool Cool”, TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb “KONG EP”, Thom McCarthy.

 

7)      So, why is creating music important to you? Why do you hit the stage night after night, pull out the old song notebook every day, or whatever else you do to let loose your creativity?

RG: Probably because I’m in love with it, I would have to be, otherwise it’s crazy.  Writing is surely a necessity for me, but a good one, it’s my favorite thing to do and will always be ever-changing according to what I’m into at the time or whatever my attitude is, and I take a break the second I start trying.  Every song I have was the result of some magic trick almost where I don’t know really where it came from but it came.  I’m certain at this point it’s what I’m supposed to be doing and I hope it makes people happy, or makes them think, I especially hope they laugh and occasionally dance and even make children to it.

8)      Aside from music, do you have any other pastimes? What would you want people to know about you aside from your musical endeavors?

RG: Music takes up a major % of my time.  I host and curate a lot of variety shows/events back home, and really like doing fun, comical performances or videos.  I like to try to cook.  I have dreams of one day having a “craft” of some sort that I can focus on.  I envy people who have that, like Jonny Fritz for example who has this incredible leather making business aside from playing music.

9)      Anything else you want to plug or we should know?

RG: Hm…the solo record, “RONNY” coming out 6/24/14 and I’ll be releasing a few tracks and a video in coming weeks over at (rongallomusic.com).  There’s also a short film related to the record out now here:

Also, check out American Diamond Recordings which will really start to come together over the next few months at (americandiamondrecordings.com)

lastly, if you like some nice light reading i wrote this essay the other day on the importance of positive internet clicking in modern society.